WestJet to increase summer service between Ottawa and Vancouver, Toronto

The Ottawa International Airport will see dozens more flights weekly from Canada’s two busiest airports this summer thanks to an increase in service from WestJet.

The Canadian airline announced Monday that it would double the number of daily flights between Vancouver and Ottawa this summer as part of an overall expansion to service from the West Coast transport hub. Fourteen trips (twice daily) will fly from Vancouver to Ottawa and vice-versa weekly starting in May.

Though temporary, the summer flight plans act as a litmus test for future expansions. A WestJet spokesperson told OBJ via email that if these increased flights prove popular, they may become part of a more permanent service.

WestJet announced previously it would also be adding nine more weekly flights between Toronto and Ottawa for a total of 13.

The Toronto-Ottawa corridor’s popularity seems to be on the rise. Via Rail announced in October that it would add a 10th round trip train to service the route. This is the third time in as many years the company has added service to the corridor, which has seen ridership increase 40 per cent over the past four years.

Service expansions may point towards Ottawa’s burgeoning status as a travel hub or destination, which could bode well for the local business community. Some argued that Ottawa’s bid to host Amazon’s second headquarters was hampered by a lack of international connections through the city’s airport.